Special PASCHA issue!
THE OFFICIAL NEWSPAPER OF THE ARCHEPARCHY OF PITTSBURGH
christ is risen!
Inside
A Paschal message from Archbishop William Skurla Page 3
journey to the cross St. Gregory parishioners carry cross at midpoint of Lent. Page 6
VOL. 62 NO. 5
PASCHA 2017
hoppin’ down the bunny trail St. Michael parish youth visit Easterbunny Lane Page 7
Christ Is Risen! Indeed He Is Risen!
Christos Voskrese! Voistinnu Voskrese!
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PASCHA 2017
Holy week schedule
UPS 081500 ISSN 07442289 Official publication of the Byzantine Catholic Archeparchy of Pittsburgh Serving parish communities in central and western Pennsylvania, Louisiana, eastern Ohio, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Texas and West Virginia Published monthly (12 issues) plus two seasonal special issues Byzantine Catholic Press Associates 66 Riverview Avenue Pittsburgh, PA 15214 Tel: 412.231.4000 Fax: 412.231.1697 E-mail: bcw@archpitt.org Web site: www.archpitt.org Archbishop William C. Skurla President
St. John the Baptist Byzantine Catholic Cathedral 210 Greentree Road Munhall, Pa. 15120 www.stjohnbyzantinecathedral.com
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Presanctified Liturgy Confessions
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Christ in everyday activities of life; to offer spiritual formation through changing times; and to celebrate community among Byzantine Catholics in the Archeparchy of Pittsburgh, throughout the Metropolitan Church in America, and around the world.
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n Divine Liturgy followed by the Blessing of Paschal Foods n
Pysanky: symbols of new life a meaningful and honored tradition Common to many Slavic traditions, pysanky is a religious symbol of the Easter celebration. Pysanky, derived from the word “pysaty,” literally means “to write.” Traditional pysanky designs written by a number of anonymous artists are featured on several pages of this issue of The BCW. Each beautiful design with its vibrant colors and symbols is a unique illustration of the beauty of Creation. Likened to the tomb from which Our Lord arose on the third day, pysanky are faith-filled symbols of Pascha and new life in Christ. n
Pope Francis’ schedule for Holy Week, Easter april 16 easter morning mass to be celebrated in st. peter’s square by Carol Glatz Catholic News Service
VATICAN CITY — Here is Pope Francis' schedule for Holy Week and Easter: March 5 to 10: Lenten retreat with officials from the Roman Curia in Ariccia, outside Rome. n
n March 17: Penitential liturgy in St. Peter's Basilica. n March 25: Pastoral visit to Milan where he was scheduled to visit the Duomo and a prison, celebrate an outdoor Mass and meet with young people recently confirmed and preparing for confirmation. n
April 2: Pastoral visit to the
northern Italian town of Carpi. n April 9: Palm Sunday Mass in St. Peter’s Square.
April 13: Holy Thursday, morning chrism Mass in St. Peter's Basilica. Evening Mass of the Lord's Supper with foot washing at a location to be announced. n
n April 14: Good Friday afternoon liturgy of the Lord's Passion in St. Peter's Basilica, Nighttime Way of the Cross in Rome's Colosseum. n April 15: Easter vigil at 8:30 p.m. in St. Peter's Basilica.
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n April 16: Easter morning Mass in St. Peter's Square, followed by the papal blessing "urbi et orbi" (to the city and the world). n
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PASCHA 2017 Christ is Risen! Indeed He is Risen! Christos Voskrese! Voistinnu Voskrese! We are gathered in a spirit of joy and hope in our churches around the world to hear and sing that Christ is Risen! We participate and enter into the time of feasting and celebration that, as Christ is Risen, we also will rise and live for forever as members of the kingdom of God! When we listen to the Gospel story in the readings, stichera, and hymns of Holy and Great Week, we hear that the experience of the disciples is an emotional roller coaster of feelings ranging from dread to ecstasy. Their world did not understand the disciples and challenged their beliefs at every turn. They overcame their fears by their encounter with the Risen Jesus. What had been foretold by the prophets and by Jesus was confirmed as being true and real. We share in their experience and our faith is enriched each Easter. With each passing year we travel to a deeper level of understanding. We can only imagine what non-believers in Jerusalem understood or thought of the passion, death, and Resurrection of Jesus Christ. The recent movie “Risen� retells the Easter story in an imaginative way from the perspective of an unbelieving Roman soldier. It was a time of war, violence, and social upheaval. Although the visual events are too strong for young children, the imaginary storyline follows an investigation of the death and Resurrection of Jesus by the soldier. Like a modern detective story, the soldier interviews witnesses and looks at evidence to disprove the Resurrection. However, his investigation and his encounter with the Risen Jesus transform him into one who believes that Jesus is the Messiah. He abandons his service to the empire to serve the kingdom of the Lord. In my lifetime, our world has become ever closer to the world seen in the movie and to the world described in the gospel accounts. The news of violence, social unrest, and the growing number of unbelievers is increasing. We live in a world that needs healing. It is a broken world in need for each of us to continue to proclaim that Christ is Risen! If we believe, there is hope for the world.
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Most Reverend William C. Skurla, D.D. Metropolitan Archbishop of Pittsburgh Apostolic Administrator of Parma
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Sincerely yours in Christ,
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We pray that this Easter brings the joy of the Resurrection to you and to your loved ones. We thank you for your attendance at the Lenten and Easter services and your support of your church and communities this year. As we bless and share our Easter, we pray that it will enrich you physically and spiritually to be like the soldier in the movie and the apostles who lived and proclaimed to all that Christ is Risen! ! Indeed H sen
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christos voskrese! voistinnu voskrese! the byzantine catholic world
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Very Rev. Dr. Peter Galadza to speak in Munhall, Pa. 17th annual ss. cyril and methodius lecture series The annual SS. Cyril and Methodius Lecture has been a great success, a tribute to speakers who have presented energetic topics in the past. This year is no exception Very Rev. Peter Galadza, PhD, an exceptionally popular speaker and teacher, will be the keynote speaker at the 17th annual SS. Cyril and Methodius Lecture of the Byzantine Catholic Seminary at 7 p.m. May 11. He will speak on "Vatican Guidelines for Church Music: Eastern Christian Prospects and Problems.” The sacred music of the Eastern Churches is among the great gifts bequeathed to them by Tradition. In several documents, among them the Vatican II Constitution on Sacred Liturgy, Church authorities have attempted to sensitize the universal Church to the importance of singing in worship. Galadza will review some of these doc-
uments and discuss where Byzantine Catholics are and where they can be when it comes to using this gift. The talk will be illustrated with audio and video clips from several Eastern Catholic churches. Galadza is Kule Family Professor of Liturgy and Acting Director of the Metropolitan Andrey Sheptytsky Institute of Eastern Christian Studies. After completing his M.Div. at Chicago’s Catholic Theological Union in 1981, he was ordained to the presbyterate by Patriarch Josyf Slipyj and served in parishes until 1988, when he completed a M.A. in liturgy at the University of Notre Dame. He went on to earn a Ph.D. in theology from the University of Saint Michael’s College of the University of Toronto. From 1994 to 2004, he edited Logos: A Journal of Eastern Christian Studies, and in 1997, became convener of
the Eastern Liturgies Study Group of Societas Liturgica. During the 1999-2000 academic year, Fr. Galadza served as dean of the L’viv Theological Academy in Ukraine. In 2003-2004, Fr. Galadza was a research fellow at Harvard University’s Dumbarton Oaks Byzantine Research Center in Georgetown, Washington, DC. He is also editor-in-chief of the recently published “pew book,” The Divine Liturgy: An Anthology for Worship and past president of the international Society of Oriental Liturgy. His wife, Olenka, is a high school teacher and iconographer. They have three children. The annual lecture series is sponsored by the Byzantine Catholic Seminary of SS. Cyril and Methodius, a community of mentors and students which forms future leaders for the Church in an environment of Christian unity, integrity,
Very Rev. Dr. Peter Galadza
collaboration, and missionary spirit. n
FYI n
Very Rev. Dr. Peter Galadza will be the keynote speaker at the 17th annual SS. Cyril and Methodius Lecture of the Byzantine Catholic Seminary at 7 p.m. May 11, St. John Cathedral Center, 210 Greentree Road, Munhall, Pa. Seating is limited. No charge. Registration is required by April 28 at www.bcs.edu, 412-321-8383 or office@bcs.edu,
guest commentary
Healing the loss of a loved one
by Sister Constance Veit Little Sisters of the Poor
I lost my mother unexpectedly last November, after having lost my father after a long illness eight years earlier. My siblings and I suddenly found ourselves “orphans” as we marked our first Thanksgiving and Christmas without either of our parents. Now we are anticipating our first Mother’s Day without Mom. We’ve spent the past few months dismantling and selling my parents’ home of 50 years. It’s the only house we knew growing up, and it has continued to be our emotional hub as our adult lives have taken us across the country. As we bring closure to this phase of our grieving just in time for Mother’s Day, I feel drawn to share a few reflections on how my faith has supported me during this time of mourning. The loss of a loved one can engender intense and contradictory feelings; this is especially true with our parents, since our bond with them is so profound. We may experience an overwhelming sense of loss at a parent’s passing, especially if they were involved in our daily lives, or we in theirs. In all likelihood, we also mourn a combination of unexpressed
sentiments, unresolved issues, unfulfilled hopes and plans, and family milestones that will never be celebrated together. In the case of my mother, I have also been deeply grieved by the suffering she experienced in her final days. So what do we do with all of these intense emotions? I have found that the Church’s 50day celebration of Easter has offered me unexpected graces and consolations as my siblings and I mourn the loss of our mother. Two Easter symbols have helped me to believe that in Christ crucified and risen all of our grief and pain – all our woundedness – can be healed. The first is the Paschal candle and the second is the Divine Mercy image. Despite participating in the Easter Vigil every year, I never really paid attention to the five grains of incense with which the Paschal candle is inscribed before being lit. These symbolize the wounds of Christ. As he presses the grains into the candle, the priest says, “By his holy and glorious wounds, may Christ the Lord guard and protect us.” In her book on the healing of memories, “Remembering God’s Mercy,” well-known author Dawn Eden observes “that it is only after these wounds are called to memory that the light of the risen Christ, symbolized by the ignited candle, shines forth and spreads its glow …
The light of faith – the lumen fidei that shines upon us and gives us our identity as Christians – is the light of Christ precisely as wounded.” I found Eden’s words especially helpful in accepting my mother’s death. “When I unite my own wounded heart with the wounded and glorified heart of Jesus,” she writes, “his wounds heal mine.” In the Divine Mercy image revealed to St. Faustina, Jesus, though risen, reveals the wounds of his crucifixion and his pierced heart. In her diary, St. Faustina relates numerous occasions when Christ invited her to take refuge in his sacred wounds as in a safe hiding place. Christ also refers to his wounds as a fountain of life and mercy, and Faustina sees in them a sign of God’s great love. The image of the risen Christ still bearing the wounds of his passion is thus not morbid. It is consoling for me to realize that in his unfathomable mercy Christ embraces both my mother and myself, with all our human imperfections, hiding us in his merciful wounds. The Divine Mercy image and the Paschal candle remind me that it is in the Liturgy, especially at Mass, that we are bathed in the waters of new life, fed with his Living Bread and healed of our wounds. It is also in the Eucharist that we are united with the communion
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of believers, including those who have passed on ahead of us. It is there that I can still experience communion with my parents – though in a manner quite different from our regular visits and phone calls. As our Catholic faith teaches in the catechism, the union of those who sleep in the Lord with those who are left behind “is in no way interrupted...[but] reinforced by an exchange of spiritual goods.” The catechism informs us that those who have gone before us to their heavenly reward do not cease to intercede for us. “Being more closely united to Christ, those who dwell in heaven fix the whole Church more firmly in holiness.” By their concern, “our weakness is greatly helped.” In faith, I know that my bond with my parents is not broken by their passage from this life. I’m sure that my mother, who never gave up trying to direct her children — even after they had reached adulthood — rejoiced to find out that she could continue doing so from heaven. We, her children, are consoled to know that now she has the perfect vantage point! We are not really orphans after all. Happy Mother’s Day, Mom! n Veit is the director of communications for the Little Sisters of the Poor.
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text messages
My family Easter basket
pascha brings cherished memories of grandparents to forefront by David Mayernik Jr. editor
When I was a child, I have to confess I always sort of dreaded Holy Week. My brother, sister and I would have time off from school and would spend most of the week at our grandparents' houses in Charleroi and Monessen, Pa. That meant four days in a row of attending church: Holy Thursday, Good Friday, Holy Saturday and Easter Sunday. For a pre-pubescent kid, it wasn't a lot of fun sitting in the second-to-front pew of St. Mary Byzantine Catholic Church of the Assumption all those times consecutively. However, I did look forward to the conclusion of the Resurrection matins. Everyone would walk down the stairs to congregate in the church hall for the blessing of the Easter baskets. Has an aroma of flavors ever been assembled that smelled so sweet? There were cuts of ham and kolbasi, cheeses and, my personal favorite, the numerous pascha breads. My grandma's Easter basket even inspired its own newspaper article at this time of my life. Tucked away in a 1980s copy of “Ukrainian Easter: Traditions, Folk Customs and Recipes,” my mother has safely secured a yellowed newspaper clipping entitled "Paschal food blessing,” which was written by Emma Jene Lelik and appeared in The Valley Independent. As best as I can deduce, the story was published before Easter 1982, when I was 13 years old. It describes my grandparents — Helen and Mike Mayernik — and their "big brown wicker basket" going to church for the 45th time in its history. "We bought our basket the first Easter that we were married,” my grandma is quoted as saying. "And we have used it every year since then." The story goes on to describe each item of food that they placed in their basket and its religiouis significance. My grandma describes the sweet pascha bread as being symbolic of "Christ Himself, who is our true bread" and butter formed in the mold of a
My grandparents’ Easter basket will once again be filled with Paschal foods in 2017
lamb "reminds us of the goodness of Christ that we should have toward everyone." Her basket also contained horseradish mixed with grated red beets — "symbolic of the Passion of Christ still in our minds but sweetened with some sugar because of the Resurrection" — and kolbasi, which is "indicative of God’s favor and generosity." Of course, no Paschal basket would be complete without ham "because of its richness
and symbolic of the great joy and abundance of Easter" and decorated hard-boiled eggs, or pysanky, "indicative of new life and resurrection." I'm thrilled my grandma's wisdom continues to be a source of inspiration all these years later. I miss spending Easter with all of my grandparents, from decorationg eggs with the PAAS colored tablets that “fizzed” when placed in glasses of water
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to the the elaborate Easter egg hunts devised by my grandpap. (There were always toys and an Easter basket filled with candy at the end.) Thankfully, the tradition of blessing Paschal baskets filled with foods and deep meaning continues in all our Byzantine churches. I'm certain you have special memories of your own family's Easter basket. Have a blessed Easter. n
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PASCHA 2017
Journey to the Cross st. gregory in upper st. clair, pa.
by Father Valerian Michlik St. Gregory, Upper St. Clair, Pa.
We bow to Your Cross, O Lord, and we glorify Your holy resurrection! Honoring the Cross on the Third Sunday of the Great Fast on March 19, faithful at St. Gregory’s had the opportunity to take part in a Cross Procession in our Brookside neighborhood. Leading this procession were our ECF students who took turns carrying the Cross as we prayed together the Akathist Hymn to the Passion of Christ. As we arrive to mid-Lent, the Cross being that sign of comfort and of judgment, encourages us to fulfill the Lenten effort to take up our Cross and follow Christ. n
Lenten Bible study “preparing for the passion” by Father Valerian Michlik St. Gregory, Upper St. Clair, Pa.
As part of our Lenten journey, this year’s Lenten Bible Study at St. Gregory’s was led by seminarian Jacob Gruber of St. Paul Seminary. The theme of this year’s Bible Study was “Preparing for the Passion in the Footsteps of Our Lord.”
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We all enjoyed this three-part study during which we focused on the Transfiguration, the Institution of the Holy Eucharist and Mary beneath the Cross of Christ. We are grateful to seminarian Jacob for leading us in this study of Sacred Scripture that enriched our Lenten experience. n
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parish news
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A visit to Easter Bunnylane st. michael in campbell, ohio
Our parish youth made a visit to St. Michael Church in Hermitage, Pa. Following the tour and lunch, they visited Kraynak's where they enjoyed Easter Bunnylane and shopping. n
Let there be light it takes two
St. Michael volunteers Phil Ford and Terry Tirpack replace light bulbs in the church and get a little closer to Heaven during the process. n
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parish news
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The art of pysanky st. gregory in upper st. clair, pa. by Father Valerian Michlik St. Gregory, Upper St. Clair, Pa.
Following the Divine Liturgy on Sunday, March 26, parishioners had the opportunity to participate in a Pysanky-Easter Egg workshop led by our parishioner Barbara Stasiuk. The art of making Pysanky is an ancient tradition which started in Central and Eastern Europe before Christian times. After Christianity spread in this region, the art form became connected to Easter, called Pascha in our tradition. Pysanky are made using a wax-resistant dye technique, in which molten wax is applied to the egg after dipping it in increasingly darker hues of dye. At the end the wax is taken off and a piece of art is revealed. Besides the fellowship, we all enjoyed learning this ancient and beautiful art of Pysanky making. n
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PASCHA 2017
report from the
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Byzantine Catholic Serra Club
“Keeping your eyes on Jesus” father donald ware presents at serra lenten retreat day
by Kathe Kress Serra Club communications liaison
The Moleben of the Holy and Life-giving Cross preceded Father Don Ware’s first conference, since the next day was Veneration of the Cross Sunday. “In his letter to the Hebrews, Paul encourages all of us: ‘Keep your eyes on Jesus’ (Heb 12:2). What does that mean? How do we do that? Today, I would like to unpack that teaching of Paul,” Ware said, at the Serra Lentren Retreat at SS. Cyril and Methodius Seminary on March 18. It all comes down to one question: “Who is Jesus to you?” Ware asked. “We have our catechism answers and what we’ve been taught but who is Jesus personally to you?” Ware cited Spiritan priest Father Edward Leen, who offered three steps to knowing and loving Jesus: we need to admire Jesus, admiration leads to love and devotion; love and devotion beget imitation. The key is to read Sacred Scripture in order to develop admiration, love and devotion for Jesus. This is not a quick fix, however. As Ware said, “It takes time and perseverance and a desire to mold one’s life and discipline it and clothe oneself in Jesus.” Ware asked, “Do you ever talk to Jesus...how do you address him when you pray?” He made the group think about frequency of prayer and Scripture reading, to gain a working knowledge of Jesus’ words, teachings and behavior. Jesus isn’t restricted to Sundays, if we are to follow Him. “We are Jesus’ disciples and so Jesus is important to us,” he said. There are many distractions for Christians today. Our society is “celebrity” driven. We pay too much attention to the gossip we see and hear in the media. “We Catholics have to be careful lest we are seduced by celebrities and their way of life,” Ware said. “We have to be careful about fixing our eyes on them.” Instead, our own celebrity, Pope Francis, is a powerful role model in focusing our eyes on Jesus. In his 2016 September visit to the United States, he follows a talk with congressio-
nal members by having lunch with and serving lunch to, the homeless. In New York, following a UN address, he visits school kids in Harlem. In Philadelphia, following Mass and an address, he visits inmates in jail and fellow Jesuits in a residence for elderly Jesuits. Ware doesn’t think this is just good public relations, saying, “I think this is our Pope Francis walking the footsteps of Jesus. I believe he has ‘kept his eyes’ on Jesus.” In the introductory words on the Year of Mercy in 2016, Pope Francis beautifully reminds us that “Jesus Christ is the face of the Father’s mercy. These words might well sum up the mystery of the Christian faith. Mercy has become living and visible in Jesus of Nazareth, reaching its culmination in him” (Misericordiae Vultus, no. 1). Ware turned his attention to prayer, asking what it is. He recalled the old catechism definition as “a lifting of the mind and heart to God,” and Saint Mother Teresa’s description of prayer: “making room for God in our hearts.” But aside from that, Ware recommended references to Part IV of the Catechism of the Catholic Church, which deals specifically with Prayer, as “homework!” Perhaps, more importantly, he suggested that spending 15 minutes daily with the Gospels are key to getting to know Jesus. Ware got the retreatants thinking with three questions: “Do you have a prayer space where you live?” (A quiet, secluded place with a small table or desk, with Crucifix or icon, a candle, Bible, etc. It is our Eastern tradition to have an icon corner in the home.) “Do you have a prayer time?” (Fifteen to 30 minutes works for most, at a time when you aren’t too tired.) “How do you begin your prayer?” (Ware suggests relaxing first. We would say, “Set aside all earthly cares.”) Various forms of personal prayer were mentioned here. Ware had handouts available which explained the monastic tradition of Lectio Divina, a prayerful meditation on text from the Bible or other spiritual reading. Keeping a prayer journal can be another method used with a Spiritual Director’s
guidance. This is not to be undertaken solo, and the Eastern Church is no stranger to Spiritual Fathers and Mothers. Ware mentioned the Stations of the Cross — following in the footsteps of Jesus as he walked to Golgotha hill — or praying before a Crucifix, calling to mind his suffering and our remorse for sin and neglect. Conversing with Jesus as if he were in an “empty chair” is a form of prayer. “You can just talk with Jesus. Let him know how you are doing and what worries you,” he said. Meditation as taught by Jesuits involves visualization of a scene of Jesus’ life in Scripture — seeing it, identifying with His experience of it and talking with Him in gratitude about it, leaving space for Him to talk to you. The Eastern Church is familiar with litanies within the context of the Divine Liturgy and various Molebens. Ware mentioned integrating them with personal prayer, suggesting a Google search for Litany of the Sacred Heart or the Passion. Ware also named various daily prayers: morning offering, meal prayers, evening prayers and conversation with God throughout the day. He noted that one of his Passionist brothers said, “Jesus is my best friend. It’s so much easier to talk to him while driving than to be on the phone — and safer, too!” The value of simple repeated short prayers throughout the day, whether taken from Scripture, or just “Thank you, Jesus,” cannot be underestimated. (In the Eastern Church, we have The Jesus Prayer, which Father Don mentioned, and the daily Rule of Prayer. If you are
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unfamiliar with either of these, ask your priest for guidance.) Other Western forms prayer include Centering Prayer (a form of contemplative prayer) and Eucharistic Adoration (time alone with the Blessed Sacrament). In concluding the first conference, Ware stressed that “Prayer helps us ‘Keep our eyes on Jesus.’ This is the firm foundation, the rock, upon which we build our spiritual life.” Following lunch and time to shop at the Seminary Press, retreatants gathered in the chapel for a penitential service, followed by Ware’s second presentation. Retreat Master Father Donald Ware, C.P. is Assistant Rector of St. Paul of the Cross Monastery on the South Side Slopes. A native Pittsburgher, he entered the Passionist order here where he took his first vows in 1965. Following formation and education, he was ordained to the priesthood in 1972. He has served at various Passionist Monasteries and Retreat Centers and returned to Pittsburgh in 2001. n
Father Donald Ware
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thoughts for our day by Archpriest David M. Petras
the reality of resurrection We can make a basic statement: Christian faith is faith in the resurrection of Christ. St. Paul wrote about the resurrection shortly after it happened and it had already become the foundation of our hope of life in Christ: “But if Christ is preached as raised from the dead, how can some among you say there is no resurrection of the dead? If there is no resurrection of the dead, then neither has Christ been raised. And if Christ has not been raised, then empty too is our preaching; empty, too, your faith” (1 Corinthians 15:12-14). Each of the four gospels confirms this foundation of faith. Today, some people say that the resurrection is too incredible to believe, but the gospel witnesses to its reality. It is our Creed, “I believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ ... he was crucified for us under Pontius Pilate, and suffered and was buried. He rose on the third day according to the Scriptures.” However, St. Paul testifies, within twenty years of the resurrection, when most witnesses were still alive, that “Christ died for our sins in accordance with the scriptures; that he was buried; that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the scriptures; that he appeared to Cephas, then to the Twelve. After that, he appeared to more than five hundred brothers at once, most of whom are still living, though some have fallen asleep”(1 Corinthians 15:6). We must understand the deep meaning of our Lord’s resurrection. There are actually many stories of resurrection in
revealed scripture: Elijah raises the widow’s son (1 Kings 17:17-24); Elisha raises the son of the Shunammite woman (2 Kings 4:18-37); Paul raises Euthychus (Acts 20:7-12); Peter raises Tabitha (Acts 9:36-42); Jesus raises the daughter of Jairus (Matthew 9:18-26; Mark 5:21-43); the son of the widow in Nain (Luke 7:11-17); and his
The story of the disciples on the road to Emmaus is our key to understanding the Resurrection. friend Lazarus (John 11:1-44). These resurrections, however, have one thing in common, they are ultimate healing, from beyond the point of death. The people are restored to life in this world. They must die again, and they have no word for us after their resurrection. The resurrection of Jesus is different. All the other resurrections were radical healings. The people were sick and died from their sickness and were then revived. In the case of Jesus, he willingly gave up his life on the Cross, and then arose by divine power. After his resurrection, he did not return to an ordinary life among us, though the gospels make it quite clear that it was truly a bodily resurrection. He eats with his followers, Thomas is able to touch his wounds, he can be recognized, and seen and heard by the faithful. At the same time, he is not recog-
Mark Your Calendar Women’s Day of Reflection Amy Brooks, Gisele Fetterman and Dee Ruckert will be featured speakers at the 14th annual Women’s Day of Reflection. The event will be held 9 a.m.2:30 p.m. May 6 at St. John the Baptist Cathedral, 210 Greentree Road, Munhall. This year's theme is "A Ka-
leidoscope of Gifted Women" and the day's activities will include a luncheon, vendors and a basket auction with proceeds donated to local women's shelters. For more information, contact Sister Marion Dobos at 412-322-8773 or mdobos1@ gmail.com. Cost is $25, which includes lunch. No refunds.
nized by Mary Magdalene until he speaks, nor by the disciples on the road to Emmaus until he breaks bread with them. Seven disciples return to their occupation of fishing, and they do not recognize him on the shore of the Sea of Tiberius until he gives them a miraculous catch of fish. He tells Mary Magdalene, “Stop holding on to me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father” (John 20:17). He comes to be with his disciples even though the doors are locked. Jesus speaks to us in very clear words, “Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age” (Matthew 28:19-20). This, then, is not a radical healing, but a new way of life, the glorification of the human body that we hope for in the general resurrection. St. Paul teaches us about this resurrection: “But now Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep (1 Corinthians 15:20) .... So also is the resurrection of the dead. It is sown corruptible; it is raised incorruptible. It is sown dishonorable; it is raised glorious. It is sown weak; it is raised powerful. It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. If there is a natural body, there is also a spiritual one” (1 Corinthians 15:4244). Our Paschal celebration proclaims that this has already happened: “Christ is risen (in the present!) from the dead, by death he trampled death, and to those in the tombs he granted life.”
The story of the disciples on the road to Emmaus is our key to understanding the Resurrection. Their journey to the village of Emmaus becomes a Divine Liturgy. As they make their way, Jesus explains all the scriptures to them, “Oh, how foolish you are! How slow of heart to believe all that the prophets spoke! Was it not necessary that the Messiah should suffer these things and enter into his glory?” Then beginning with Moses and all the prophets, he interpreted to them what referred to him in all the scriptures” (Luke 24:25-27). This corresponds to the Liturgy of the Word, in which we hear the Epistle and Gospel, and their explanation in the homily. As they sit at table in Emmaus, bread and wine are brought out for the meal, which corresponds to the Great Entrance of the Divine Liturgy, where bread and wine that are to become the Body and Blood of Christ are brought forth. Then Jesus takes these gifts, “And it happened that, while he was with them at table, he took bread, said the blessing, broke it, and gave it to them. With that their eyes were opened and they recognized him, but he vanished from their sight”(Luke 24:3031). He vanishes, only because he has revealed to us that he is with us always, as he promised. This reality is present every time we celebrate the Divine Liturgy. The Lord is with us always” (Matthew 28:20). We receive Holy Communion in the risen Body and Blood of Jesus, “for life everlasting.” Our whole life is a journey to Emmaus. n
Pre-registration is required. Deadline is April 20. Sponsored by the Byzantine Catholic Archeparchial Office of Religious Education. n
7149. www.sistersofstbasil.org. n Women’s Discernment Weekend with Sister Barbara Jean: 7 p.m. April 21 to 11 a.m. April 23. Offering is $130 and $105 for commuters. Registration is due by April 17. n Candlelight Dinner for Married Couples with Pastor Ken and Thelma Walls: 6:30-8:30 p.m. April 27. Dinner, music and a presentation. Offering is $60 per couple. Registration is due by April 21. n
Events at Mount St. Macrina
The following events will be hosted by the Sisters of the Order of St. Basil the Great and held at the House of Prayer, Mount St. Macrina, 500 W. Main St. Uniontown, Pa. For information, call 724-438-
the byzantine catholic world
PASCHA 2017
News from the VATICAN
Pope Francis visits center for the blind pontiff continues tradition of “mercy Friday” by Cindy Wooden Catholic News Service
VATICAN CITY — Pope Francis returned to a practice he developed during the Year of Mercy: making a Friday-afternoon visit to people in need of or deserving special care. For the visit March 31, he chose the Sant' Alessio-Margherita di Savoia Regional Center for the Blind in Rome. The center is home to 37 adults and senior citizens who are blind or severely visually impaired, but the structure also offers specialized classes for 50 children with the same challenges. "With this visit, the pope wants to continue the so-called Mercy Friday visits carried out
during the Jubilee of Mercy," the Vatican said in a statement. The visits were designed to reflect the spiritual and corporal works of mercy with "those who live in situations of physical and social exclusion." The pope's visit was scheduled to last about two hours. The center was founded in 1868 by lay Catholics with the support of Pope Pius IX and specialized in giving a general education to children who were blind, teaching them to read Braille. It also teamed up with Rome's Santa Cecilia Conservatory, offering many of the young students a musical education. n
by Cindy Woden Catholic News Service
Pope Francis greets a girl as he visits Sant’ Alessio-Margherita di Savoia Regional Center for the Blind March 31 in Rome. Photo by Catholic News Service/ L’Oservatore Romano.
“we should not fear challenges. it is good they exist.” ROME — Visiting Milan, the center of Italian fashion and finance, Pope Francis spent the morning with the poor and those who minister to them. He had lunch at the city's historic San Vittore prison, where all 893 inmates -- men and women -- are awaiting trial. But Pope Francis began his visit March 25 on the outskirts of the city, at the "White Houses," a housing development for the poor built in the 1970s. Three families welcomed the pope into their apartments: Stefano Pasquale, 59, who is ill and cared for by his 57-yearold wife, Dorotee; a Muslim couple and their three children from Morocco; and the Onetes. Nuccio Onete, 82, was home for the pope's visit, but his wife, Adele, was hospitalized with pneumonia three days earlier, so the pope called her on the telephone. The people of the neighborhood gave Pope Francis a handmade white stole, which he put on before addressing the crowd. The fact that it was homemade, he said, "makes it much more precious and is a reminder that the Christian priest is chosen from the people and is at the service of the people. My priesthood, like that of your pastor and the other priests who work here, is a gift of Christ, but one sewn by you, by the people, with your faith, your struggles, your prayers and your tears."
Pope asks children to promise Jesus they will never be bullies
friends teach joy
Spread hope, preach Christ, don’t worry about numbers, pope says by Cindy Wooden Catholic News Service
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Arriving next at Milan's massive Gothic cathedral, Pope Francis met with the archdiocese's pastoral workers and responded to questions from a priest, a permanent deacon and a religious sister, urging them to trust in God, hold on to their joy and share the good news of Pope Francis speaks as Cardinal Angelo Scola of Christ with everyone Milan looks on during a meeting with clergy and religious at the cathedral in Milan March 25. The they meet. pope was making a one-day visit. (Catholic News "We should not fear Service photo by Paul Haring.) challenges," he said. time and "to build the church "It is good that they exist" and like leaven in the dough, like Christians must "grab them, salt and light for the world." like a bull, by the horns." Just think, he said, a dish with Challenges "are a sign of a too much salt would be inediliving faith, of a living commuble. And, "I've never seen a piznity that seeks the Lord and zamaker who took a half kilo keeps its eyes and heart open." of yeast and 100 grams of flour Asked by Father Gabriele to make a pizza. No, it has to Gioia about evangelization efbe the opposite" proportion. forts that do not seem to result Christians must be concerned in "catching fish," Pope Francis with being leaven in society said the work of an evangelizer more than with being a major-- of all Christians -- is to set ity. out and cast the nets. "It's the It is not up to the pope to Lord who catches the fish." tell religious orders what their Preoccupation with numbers focus should be, he said. They is never a good thing, Pope must look to their founding Francis said. charisms and the guidance of Responding to Ursuline Sister the Holy Spirit. But in all they Paola Paganoni, who spoke of do, he said, "ignite the hope the challenge of reaching out that has been extinguished and when so many orders are expeweakened by a society that has riencing an aging and declining become insensitive to the pain membership, the pope spoke as of others. Our fragility as cona Jesuit, saying, "The majorigregations can make us more ty of our founding fathers and attentive to the many forms of mothers never thought they'd fragility that surround us and be a multitude." transform them into spaces of Rather, he said, they were blessing." n moved by the Holy Spirit to respond to the real needs of their the byzantine catholic world
ROME — Pope Francis asked 45,000 children preparing for confirmation to promise Jesus they would never engage in bullying. Turning stern during a lively and laughter-filled encounter March 25, Pope Francis told the youngsters he was very worried about the growing phenomenon of bullying. He asked them to be silent and reflect on if there were times when they made fun of someone for how they looked or behaved. And, as a condition of their confirmation, he made them promise Jesus that they would never tease or bully anyone. The pope ended his daylong visit to Milan by participating in an expanded version of the archdiocese's annual encounter for pre-teens preparing for confirmation. An estimated 78,000 people filled the city's famed San Siro soccer stadium; the archdiocese expects to confirm about 45,000 young people this year. A boy named Davide asked the pope, "When you were our age, what helped your friendship with Jesus grow?" First of all, the pope said, it was his grandparents. One of his grandfathers was a carpenter, who told him Jesus learned carpentry from St. Joseph, so whenever the pope saw his grandfather work, he thought of Jesus. The other grandfather taught him to always say something to Jesus before going to sleep, even if it was just, "Good night, Jesus." His grandmothers and his mother, the pope said, were the ones who taught him to pray. He told the kids that even if their grandparents "don't know how to use a computer or have a smartphone," they have a lot to teach them. Playing with friends taught him joy and how to get along with others, which is part of faith, the pope said. And going to Mass and to the parish oratory also strengthened his faith because "being with others is important." n
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PASCHA 2017
liturgical schedule at the Seminary “Come, let us sing joyfully to the Lord”
around the archeparchy SUPER SATURDAY SALE - 9 a.m.-3 p.m. April 29, St. Pius X, 2336 Brownsville Road, Carrick. Crafter, vendor and flea market. Baked goods and ethnic food will be sold throughout the day. For more information, call 412-881-8344. WOMEN’S DAY OF REFLECTION — 9 a.m.-3 p.m. May 6, Cathedral of St. John the Baptist Cathedral, 210 Greentree Road, Munhall. The theme for the 14th annual event is “A Kaleidoscope of Gifted Women” and speakers are Amy Brooks, Gisele Fetterman and Dee Ruckert. The the day’s activities will include a luncheon, vendors and a basket auction with proceeds donated to local women’s shelters. SPAGHETTI DINNER — 1-5 p.m. May 7, SS. Peter & Paul, 701 Foster Ave., Duquesne. Cost: $9, adults; $5, ages 6 to 10; no charge, ages 5 and under. There will also be raffles and an auction.
Join the Byzantine Catholic Seminary community for liturgical services. Enter through the chapel door that faces Perrysville Avenue. It’s recommended visitors call 412-321-8383 in advance so that we may be awaiting your arrival.
BYZANTINE DIVINE LITURGY Sundays 9:00 a.m. • WEDO Radio • 810 AM Broadcast live from Holy Ghost Church, McKees Rocks
Also view liturgical services (various times) at: www.holyghost-byzantinecatholic.org www.stjohnsbyzantinecathedral.com www.sjcbcc.com
For more information about the Seminary: go to www.bcs.edu. April 1 No services 2 No services 3 8 a.m. Orthros (M) 4 7 p.m. Great Compline (R) 5 7 a.m. Midday Office (R), 5 p.m. Presanctified Liturgy (R) 6 7 a.m. Matins (R) 7 8 a.m. Orthros (M), 5 p.m. Presanctified Liturgy (M) 8 9 a.m. Divine Liturgy (R), 5 p.m. All-Night Vigil (R) 9 Palm Sunday; No services 10 to 23 No services 24 8 a.m. Divine Liturgy (M) 25 7 a.m. Parastas (R) Day of Rejoicing (Radonitsa) 26 7 a.m. Daily Matins (R) 27 7 a.m. Divine Liturgy (R) 28 8 a.m. Orthros (M), 5 p.m. Vespers (R) 29 9 a.m. Divine Liturgy (R), 5 p.m. Great Vespers (M) 30 8 a.m. Festal Matins (R) Ointment-Bearers, 9 a.m. Divine Liturgy (R) 31 8 a.m. Akathist (R) (R) Ruthenian
(M) Melkite
christ is risen! indeed he is risen!
christos voskrese! voistinnu voskrese!
dates to remember APRIL 10 to 15 Holy Week CHANCERY CLOSED APRIL 13 to 14 APRIL 14 Great and Holy Friday APRIL 16 Pascha — The Glorious Feast of the Resurrection of Our Lord APRIL 17 Bright Monday CHANCERY CLOSED APRIL 18 Fifth anniversary of Archbishop William’s Enthronement
See more upcoming events at www.archpitt.org
the byzantine catholic world
Official publication of the Byzantine Catholic Archeparchy of Pittsburgh
Byzantine Catholic Press Associates 66 Riverview Avenue Pittsburgh, PA 15214 Tel: 412.231.4000 Fax: 412.231.1697 E-mail: bcw@archpitt.org Web site: www.archpitt.org
next issue: MAY 2017
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